If there is to be a total turnaround of the Rickards football program, this will be the year that sees the Raiders stabilize.

There's not much of an encore that can top the 9-2 season Rickards put up last year when it beat Wakulla and Lincoln and made the playoffs in the state's toughest district.

With approximately 45 of their 55 participants this season being underclassmen, progress will be made in other ways, namely the growth and development of younger players and competitive fight in each and every game.

"It's getting them to understand the sacrifices that other guys gave to get them here," Raiders head coach Quintin Lewis said.

"The amount of hard work it takes, we're getting it down. We're having a great offseason now. The numbers are there for workouts and we're showing up pretty good."

Rickards will be replacing nearly all of its offensive production from last year due to the graduation of first-team All-Big Bend quarterback Charlie Kelly (2,059 yards passing, 804 yards rushing, 36 combined touchdowns), receiver Stephen Denmark (849 yards, 12 TD) and multi-position threats Jalen Ashby and Tra'Mayne Holmes.

Mix in the departure of defensive lineman Markel Winter and there are holes to be filled in big ways.

"The offense won't change much," Lewis said.

"We're better up front, we're bigger up front on both sides of the ball, which will help shoulder the load. We feel like we have an advantage with what we have coming back. It may be a little less sharp passing game, and we need to get better, but it's nothing significant."

Several Raiders are in the mix at quarterback, where junior Kalin Riles saw the most reserve snaps last year, but his athleticism may be better served at wide receiver.

Senior Steve McGriff is the front runner under center, where he will get protection help on the offensive line from senior Jordan Williams.

Running backs Deion Hogan and Kaycee Reese figure to see a lot of carries, while senior Malcom Penny will be a tough goal line, short yardage back and the key returning piece on defense at linebacker.

"We've got a few guys coming back," Lewis said.

"Those (six) guys are really going to help mold this young team into a good football team. They've done a great job this summer. We're young, but the sky is the limit."